Rumex salicifolius

Weinm.

Willow dock, Mexican Dock

PolygonaceaeLeavesSeeds/NutsShootsPotential hazards — see below

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(c) Ron Vanderhoff, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

iNaturalist · cc-by
(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY)

What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaves, Seeds, Stem

Young leaves can be cooked and used as greens. The stems are also edible cooked — they can be peeled and boiled with sugar for use like rhubarb, or baked and peeled to eat the inner pulp either hot or cold. The seeds are edible cooked and can be ground into a powder, then cooked with water until they reach the consistency of a thick gravy.

Known Hazards

Plants can contain quite high levels of oxalic acid, which is what gives the leaves of many members of this genus an acid-lemon flavour. Perfectly alright in small quantities, the leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since the oxalic acid can lock-up other nutrients in the food, especially calcium, thus causing mineral deficiencies. The oxalic acid content will be reduced if the plant is cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant.

Canada, North America, Slovenia, USA,

Countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Slovenia, El Salvador, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, St Vincent

How to Identify

Perennial growing 0.6 m tall. Hermaphroditic and wind-pollinated. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils, preferring well-drained conditions. Grows in mildly acid, neutral, or basic soils. Adapts to semi-shade or full light and prefers moist soil. Tolerates coastal exposure.

How to Grow

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. Plants should also be tolerant of maritime exposure. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most soils but prefers a deep fertile moderately heavy soil that is humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained and a position in full-sun or part shade.

Propagation: Sow seed in spring in a cold frame. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once large enough to handle, and plant out during summer. Plants can also be propagated by division in spring.

Medicinal Uses

The roots are astringent, act as a blood purifier and laxative, and can be used as a poultice or salve. A decoction of the roots has been used to treat severe constipation, and an infusion has been used for stomach aches. Mashed roots have been applied as a salve on sore limbs and on chicken pox rash. The dried, powdered root has been used as a dusting powder on sores and cuts.

Other Uses

No specific dye data has been recorded for this species, but roots of many plants in this genus yield dark green to brown and dark grey dyes without requiring a mordant.

Wikipedia

Source ↗

Rumex salicifolius is a species of flowering perennial plant in the knotweed family known by the common names willow dock and willow-leaved dock. It is native to much of western North America, and more specifically, in southern and central parts of California, and some parts of Arizona and Nevada. It can also be found in parts of Europe as an introduced species and a roadside weed. It is an extremely variable plant which is generally divided into many varieties, some of which may actually be specimens of other species.

Notes

There are about 200 Rumex species.

Names & Synonyms

Vrbovolistna kislica

References (4)

Flora 4:28. 1821
http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/en/plants
Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 498
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/